Jake Price is up 17pts across his last two articles on Oddschecker. Check out his picks for New Year's Day here.
13:40 Musselburgh
Tip 1: WISE EAGLE - 1pt Win
When a classy Flat horse goes jumping it doesn't always work out, but as a Novice Hurdler last season WISE EAGLE made a good impression, and surely there is plenty more to come from him now handicapping off a tempting mark this campaign.
Having finished 2nd on jumping debut at Catterick, he then came to Musselburgh and made amends under no uncertain terms, with a 23 length romp. He then bolted up under a penalty at Catterick when stepped up to 2m3½f which I thought was a particularly interesting performance, before on Handicap debut he was only denied a length at Kelso - where he dropped back in trip to two miles, and made some costly mistakes in the home straight. He was put up 4lbs for that defeat to a mark of 127, but that still does not look beyond him.
What's important to note about this horse is that he stays 2m2f on the Flat, so the minimum trip over hurdles is likely to be a bit short for him. Secondly though you have to look at his Musselburgh record; as his form figures at the track (both Flat and Jumps) read 1211114, and that fourth was the most recent Queens Cup where he was only beaten 1.5 lengths. Clearly then he loves this track, and the 2m4f trip should be absolutely ideal. Following a break since August he had a prep race for this on the All Weather at Southwell last month so fitness should be of no concern, and trainer Adam Nicol is enjoying a fine Jumps season to boot.
WISE EAGLE 1pt Win @ 9/2
14:00 Cheltenham
Tip 2: MATATA - 1pt Win
This looks a very weak version of one of the many Cheltenham Handicaps ran over the intermediate distance throughout the season, and as such at a massive price it is surely worth giving MATATA a chance over this trip - especially as he has finally dropped back down to a realistic handicap rating.
Back in his younger days you wouldn't have given him a hope of staying these sorts of distances due to his keen going nature, but he really has matured over the years, and as such he is much more tractable now in terms of tactics. Connections have clearly been considering this option too, as they tried him in the Grade 1 Melling Chase at Aintree when making a bad mistake at the 5th last flight, and he also held an entry in the Paddy Power Handicap Chase in November before running in the Shloer instead.
That run in the Shloer was going to be a good one too, as he looked booked for second place before absolutely walking through the final flight and forcing JJ Slevin into making a world class sit. His third the last day at Kelso when sent off 3/1f suggested to me that he is worth trying up in trip again though as he wasn't stopping when running on at the one pace. His mark was also dropped a further 2lbs to boot, meaning he is now rated 154 - 1lb lower than his winning mark at Windsor last January.
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14:15 Musselburgh
Tip 3: THE KALOOKI KID - 1.5pt Win
A horse I have firmly on my radar for 2m4f Handicap Chases this season is THE KALOOKI KID, as this progressive 7yo looks to have plenty more to come following a successful Novice Chase campaign last year.
Having been beaten by Doyen Du Bar on his Chase debut the November before last, he subsequently won well at Doncaster before then landing the valuable Scottish Champion Chase here at Musselburgh – which was a very good performance to readily beat Saint Segal (155) by 2.75 lengths from a mark of 131. Connections did try him in the Grade 1 Manifesto Novices’ Chase at Aintree afterwards, but that was an extremely hot race and was likely a case of too much too soon.
Making his return to action last month in the Listed Colin Parker Memorial Chase at Carlisle, I thought he put in a very solid performance despite finishing 4/4 – as he was only beaten 4.25 lengths despite being up against it on ratings with both Resplendent Grey (152) and Handstands (154), and he was also aiming to give the Mare Hollygrove Cha Cha (129) 13lbs at the weights. The Handicapper certainly agreed with my assessment as he subsequently raised our selection 3lbs to a mark of 139, but having waited for better ground he should be primed now for a big run - especially as he is returning to a winning track.
15:10 Cheltenham
Tip 4: MA SHANTOU - 1pt Win
Whatever happened at Haydock in November cannot reflect the true running of MA SHANTOU considering the winner of that race was a horse he beat last time out, so I am willing to forgive one bad run. Having been given a 40 day break to freshen up however, I am very much hoping that a return to Prestbury Park can bring a change of fortunes.
Back at the October meeting this Emma Lavelle charge absolutely hacked up in a good Pertemps Qualifier off a mark of 129, and despite a 9lbs rise he was still a well fancied 4/1f to follow up at Haydock in an even more competitive race. Obviously that did not work out, but this contest is much weaker - with 7 lining up including Harbour Lake who has to shoulder top weight. What's more is Harry Cobden comes back in for the ride, and the pair seem to get on well.
